Home Credit Philippines Partners with Globe At Home to Make Learning Tools and Connectivity More Accessible This Back-to-School Season

[From L-R]: Representatives from Home Credit Philippines and Globe sign an agreement to provide free GFiber Prepaid installation with every Sulit Skwela learning device purchase. Seen here are Abigail Cardino, Vice President and Brand Head for Globe Broadband Business; Danny Theseira, Senior Advisor for Globe Broadband Business; Puneet Suneja, Home Credit Chief Sales Officer; Sheila Paul, Home Credit Chief Marketing Officer; and Katrina Castellano, Home Credit Head of Brands

Every Sulit-Skwela laptop purchased via Home Credit comes with a FREE GFiber Prepaid UNLI internet

Home Credit Philippines (HCPH), the country’s leading consumer finance company, has partnered with Globe AT HOME to provide Filipino families with affordable financing access to essential learning devices and reliable internet connectivity this back-to-school season. The partnership was formalized through a recent Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing held at the Globe Tower in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Through this collaboration, every laptop purchased under Home Credit’s Sulit-Skwela deals will come with a FREE GFiber Prepaid UNLI internet. This initiative aims to bridge the gap in financial and digital inclusion in the country as students and their families prepare for the new academic year.

“As the back-to-school season begins, this partnership with Globe is a milestone in Home Credit’s mission to empower more Filipino families through financial and digital inclusion. By offering learning devices bundled with reliable internet through our flexible installment plans, we help bridge the gap, making essential tools more accessible to students as they prepare for the school year,” said Puneet Suneja, HCPH’s Chief Sales Officer.

Get a Sulit-Skwela laptop via Home Credit

Home Credit’s Sulit-Skwela deals offer families affordable financing solutions to secure essential back-to-school gadgets. The promo features flexible installment plans of up to 24 months, with options that include 0% interest and zero downpayment, making it easier for parents to upgrade or purchase new learning tools while managing their budget this season.

The Sulit-Skwela promo includes a wide range of laptops and other must-have devices from the most trusted brands in the country, including Acer, Asus, Apple, Lenovo, HP, and others. With more laptop models available, customers can choose from budget-friendly options to high-performance units, including gaming laptops, ultrabooks, and 2-in-1 devices that function as both laptop and tablet. Each device offers reliable performance, with select models featuring long battery life, powerful processors, sizable storage, and larger RAM.  

The Sulit-Skwela promo is available in over 15,000 Home Credit partner stores across more than 75 provinces nationwide from May 15 to July 31. Customers only need one valid ID to apply, and eligible applicants can receive approval in as fast as one minute.

Enjoy FREE GFiber Prepaid UNLI internet with every laptop purchase

Customers who purchase a laptop under Home Credit’s Sulit-Skwela promo will receive free GFiber Prepaid UNLI internet with no lock-in period, no monthly bills, and no installation fee. They can simply load up the prepaid fiber service when needed, giving families full control over their internet spending.

After completing the laptop purchase, customers will be prompted to scan a QR code to check if GFiber is available in their area. If the location is serviceable, Globe will then collect customer information and schedule the installation, which can be completed within two to three working days.

“It’s amazing how two big brands are coming together to modernize the Filipino home. Through this partnership with Home Credit, we’re not just expanding fiber connectivity. We’re making it more accessible to families through flexible financing. Home Credit has built a strong, trusted presence across the country, and we’re only at the tip of what we can do together. This collaboration empowers more students with the internet access they need as they gear up for the school year,” said Danny Theseira, Senior Advisor for Globe’s Broadband Business.

Customers may also apply through the Home Credit App to get pre-approved product installments. The app is available for download on Google Play, the App Store, or Huawei AppGallery. For in-store transactions, Home Credit representatives are ready to assist customers throughout the process.

To view the complete list of available laptops and other essential back-to-school gadgets, and to locate nearby partner stores, customers may visit Shoppingmall.ph.

For the latest updates about Home Credit Philippines, visit its official website, www.homecredit.ph. You may also follow its official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts.  

Home Credit Philippines is a financing company duly licensed and supervised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).  

Be Transported to Italy with an Italian Tasting Journey at Solaire Resort North

Zuppa di Cipolla – a warm, comforting consommé with beautifully charred onions and parmesan cheese

Discover what it means to dine like an Italian with Finestra’s latest offer for dinner – the Italian Journey Tasting Menu. Have a taste of delectable meals from a five-course set menu for the night and indulge in some of Finestra’s best and signature dishes for only Php 4,200++ per head.

From the restaurant’s signature recipes to those brought by Finestra’s team of expert chefs, have a taste of pure authentic Italian dishes and enjoy a night of luxury and mouthwatering satisfaction. Discover Italy with each bite into Finestra’s special five-course dinner, starting with a special addition to Finestra’s a la Carte menu, the Zuppa di Cipolla, with its beautifully charred onion consommé and parmesan cheese.

Calamari – an Antipasto serving a squid-based dish paired with fava beans and a refreshing edamame salad

Ravioli del Plin – a rich savory homemade beef ravioli with jus, one of Finestra’s signature dishes

For a more familiar taste of Finestra’s signature delicacies, experience a feast of flavors with the Calamari and Ravioli del Plin, with the former offering a squid-based dish paired with fava beans and a refreshing edamame salad, while the latter boasts a family recipe brought to the table by Chef de Cuisine Andrea with a homemade beef ravioli drizzled with jus.

Immerse into the finesse of the evening with Secondi dishes offering patrons a choice between two delicious meals. For the main course, Finestra prepares a succulent Tagliata di Wagyu M5 made from Australian M5 Wagyu beef steak marinated in peppercorn sauce and paired with glazed mushrooms for a perfect taste of umami, or a Merluzzo composed of fresh Patagonian toothfish with browned butter and King Oyster mushrooms. Finish up the night with the beloved Finestra Tiramisu, a luscious dessert, showing off a decadent chocolate brownie blended with Mascarpone cream sprinkled with fine cocoa powder.

Tagliata di Wagyu M5 – a delectable Australian M5 Wagyu steak drizzled with peppercorn sauce, perfectly paired with glazed mushrooms for a taste of umami

Merluzzo – another option for the Secondi course offering a fresh Patagonian toothfish with browned butter and King Oyster mushrooms

Finestra Tiramisu – a luscious authentic Italian dessert, showing off a chocolate brownie blended with Mascarpone cream sprinkled with fine cocoa powder

Savor the finest flavors at Finestra with the new Italian Journey Tasting Menu this July. 

For more details, reservations, and inquiries, visit the Solaire Resort North website at sn.solaireresort.com, or contact them at +632 8888 8888 or via email at sn.reservations@solaireresort.com or snrestaurantevents@solaireresort.com to book a table and enjoy a taste of the finer side of Italian cuisine. 

Converge ICT Appoints Former NAVER Cloud CEO to Board, Accelerating Tech Transformation

In a decisive move to bolster its transformation into a full-fledged technology company, leading Philippine fiber broadband provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. has elected Park Weongi, former CEO of NAVER Cloud, to its Board of Directors during its meeting on July 8, reinforcing the move of the company to go beyond connectivity and become a digital infrastructure and technology services powerhouse.

Park, a respected leader in cloud and digital infrastructure with over 30 years of global experience, brings deep technology expertise that will help steer Converge through its next phase of growth. His election to the Board supports the company’s ongoing shift from pure fiber broadband services to a broader suite of technology solutions, including enterprise cloud, AI-enabled services, and digital platforms.

“At this critical stage of our evolution into a technology company, we are building a leadership team that matches the scale and complexity of our ambitions,” said Converge CEO and Co-Founder Dennis Anthony Uy. 

“Mr. Park’s track record in leading large-scale digital transformations and building future-ready infrastructure aligns perfectly with our vision to elevate the Philippines’ digital economy. His presence on our Board is not only strategic — it’s transformational.”

Park will serve the unexpired term of Atty. Francis Ed. Lim who was recently appointed as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Park will join the Board Risk Oversight Committee and the Remuneration Committee. 

A Proven Technology Leader

As CEO of NAVER Cloud from 2014 to 2022, Park led the company through a phase of rapid innovation and scale, expanding its cloud service portfolio from 22 to over 200 offerings across IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS. He also spearheaded NAVER’s sustainable data center strategy, earning the company a Platinum LEED certification. 

From 2023 to 2025, Park served as CEO of NAVER Cloud APAC, where he drove regional expansion into 10 international markets and forged key partnerships across Southeast Asia, strengthening NAVER’s competitive position in the global digital infrastructure space.

His leadership roots run deep in enterprise IT, with earlier roles at IBM and TELUS Canada, where he led global IT services and telecom operations, respectively.

Strategic Synergy

Converge’s pivot to becoming a techco involves significant investment in digital platforms, data centers, cloud services, and AI-based solutions. Park’s experience scaling NAVER’s cloud business and navigating fast-evolving technology markets will directly inform Converge’s strategy in these areas.

“Converge is no longer just a connectivity company. We're building the digital backbone of the future — and we need board-level guidance from leaders who’ve already built those foundations at a global scale,” Uy added.

Park currently serves as Executive Advisor to NAVER Cloud, offering strategic guidance as the company continues to expand across Asia.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Yonsei University in South Korea. 

During its July 8 meeting, the Converge Board also appointed Arlene San Juan as Company Treasurer, taking on the role from Christine R. Blabagno who was announced as the Chief Risk Officer, concurrent with her duty as the Deputy Chief Finance Officer. 

SM Malls' Coffee Fest: Your Guide to the Best Brews

For many of us, coffee is more than a pick-me-up — it's a pause button. A reason to slow down amid the rush, to savor a moment before the next meeting, or simply to sit in the company of one’s thoughts. This July, SM Supemalls invites you to see coffee not just as a drink but as a way to connect and create lasting memories with this year’s Coffee Fest.

While global chains often headline the coffee scene, a stroll through SM City Grand Central, SM Center Sangandaan, and SM City Valenzuela uncovers a constellation of coffee spots waiting to be rediscovered. From Vietnamese slow drips to oat milk matcha lattes, these are not just pit stops — they are coffee destinations in their own right.

COTTI COFFEE AT SM CENTER SANGANDAAN

Tucked inside SM Center Sangandaan is Cotti Coffee, a global favorite bringing a taste of the world to your daily cup. Sourcing Arabica beans from Ethiopia to El Salvador, Cotti offers a refined lineup of brews — silky Americanos, creamy oat lattes, and inventive matcha blends. Each cup is precise, smooth, and satisfying — ideal for shoppers, remote workers, or anyone in need of a mid-day caffeine ritual with an international twist.

FAMOUS BELGIAN WAFFLE AT SM CENTER SANGANDAAN

What began as a go-to for indulgent waffles has quietly evolved into a full café experience. Famous Belgian Waffle now serves thoughtfully brewed coffee made from locally sourced beans. The vibe is relaxed, the coffee confidently bold. Pair a robust brew with a freshly made waffle, and you’ve got yourself a cozy reward that feels both familiar and elevated.

ZUS COFFEE AT SM CITY VALENZUELA 

At SM City Valenzuela, Zus Coffee is making specialty coffee feel effortlessly casual. No frills, no fuss — just really good coffee at friendly prices. From a standout Java Jelly Frappe to a smooth, no-nonsense Americano, Zus balances approachability with flair. It’s the kind of place where students, creatives, and casual catch-ups naturally gather — and keep coming back.

PICK UP COFFEE AT SM CITY GRAND CENTRAL 

Affordable, accessible, and proudly local, Pickup Coffee proves that a great cup doesn’t need to cost a fortune. With prices ranging from just ₱50 to ₱100, and beans sourced from Mt. Apo and Brazil, this homegrown favorite offer both quality and creativity. Standouts include the classic Latte and the Kape Kastila — a Filipino-Spanish fusion that’s bold, aromatic, and surprisingly comforting. Whether you’re in a rush or on a break, it’s the kind of stop that lifts both mood and energy.

BÁNH MÌ KITCHEN AT SM CITY GRAND CENTRAL 

For those who like their coffee strong and full-bodied, Bánh Mì Kitchen delivers a hit of Vietnamese authenticity. Brewed using the traditional phin filter method, each cup is a deep dive into bold flavor and slow-drip culture. Try the Black Cà Phê for a straightforward jolt or the Salted Cà Phê Foam for a richer, velvety twist. It’s not just a drink — it’s an experience in savoring.

DUNKIN’ AT SM CITY VALENZUELA

Some favorites never fade, and Dunkin’ is a prime example. Steeped in nostalgia, its comforting hot brew and chilled iced coffee remain reliable companions. Pair it with a donut or the classic bunwich for that foolproof duo you’ve loved for years. With branches at SM City Valenzuela and SM Center Sangandaan, this familiar friend is always nearby.

And because coffee is best enjoyed with community, SM’s Coffee Fest is adding more flavor to every visit. 

Shoppers may join special events and make coffee moments unforgettable with art sessions, cup sleeve events, acoustic sets, and live DJ performances that will turn your usual coffee breaks into shared experiences worth remembering. 

So, the next time you're at SM City Grand Central, SM Center Sangandaan, or SM City Valenzuela, take a coffee detour. Discover something new or revisit an old favorite with fresh taste buds. Because coffee isn’t just about caffeine — it’s about connection, comfort, and those small, quiet joys in between.

Jollibee Launches New Jolly Meal Savers Line-Up

Share-worthy News: Busog sa Sulit-Sarap Meals for Only ₱99!

Jollibee fans have more reasons to celebrate their favorite meals. Starting July 9, the new Jolly Meal Savers is here—featuring Busog sa Sulit-Sarap meals for only ₱99! It’s a feel-good deal that’s just too good to keep to yourself.

Making its exciting debut in this sulit-sarap line-up is the NEW 1-pc. Burger Steak with Double Rice— the classic fan-favorite meal, made even more filling with an extra serving of rice. 

Your Favorite Meals, Now in a Sulit Line-Up

The new Jolly Meal Savers line-up delivers unbeatable value and satisfaction through full meals that include sides and drinks. 

Each option is a complete and flavorful experience built around best-loved Jollibee favorites:

• NEW: 1-pc. Burger Steak with Double Rice and Drink 
• 1-pc. Chickenjoy with Rice and Drink
• Jolly Spaghetti with Fries and Drink

With generous servings and sulit prices, these meals are designed to hit that sweet spot of sarap and busog— good news you’ll want to share with family and friends.

“These Jolly Meal Savers were designed to give customers that joyful busog feeling with their favorite go-to meals at a sulit price,” said Luis Berba, Assistant Vice President, Jollibee. “Whether you're grabbing a quick lunch, treating yourself after work, or simply craving your Jollibee favorites—there’s now a sulit-sarap option that fits your everyday.”

Your Go-To Meals, Ready Anytime

Craving comfort food that satisfies without breaking the bank, or a complete meal that will make you full for the day? The Jolly Meal Savers are your everyday go-to: Busog. Sulit. Sarap. 

Available nationwide via Dine-In, Take Out, Drive-Thru, and Delivery, this line-up makes it easier than ever to enjoy and share the joy of your favorite Jollibee meals.

For all the latest updates, like Jollibee on Facebook, subscribe to Jollibee Philippines on YouTube, and follow @jollibee on X, Instagram, and TikTok.

Galaxy Tab S10 FE Series: The Ultimate Campus Companion

School season is back — and whether you are juggling class projects, binge-watching shows in between lectures, or making sure your notes are always on point, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE series is here to make campus life smarter, easier, and a lot more fun. From its massive screen to built-in AI features, these devices bring powerful tools right into students’ hands. Here are three reasons why the Galaxy Tab S10 FE and FE+ should be your ultimate school buddy:

A Bigger Screen That Does It All

A bigger screen means more room for ideas, creativity, and everything you need to get things done. The Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ boasts a huge 13.1-inch display with ultra-slim bezels while the Galaxy Tab S10 FE has a 10.9-inch screen, giving you more room to write, read, and create.

Whether you are attending online classes, editing group presentations, or simply catching up on your favorite series after exams, the immersive screen with smooth 90Hz refresh rate makes everything look sharp and vibrant. Plus, with up to 800 nits of brightness and Vision Booster, you can confidently study outdoors or in bright spaces without straining your eyes — perfect for students always on the go.

Lightweight Portability Meets Serious Performance

Lugging heavy gadgets around campus? No thanks. The Galaxy Tab S10 FE series is impressively slim at only 6.0mm and now even lighter than its predecessor, making it super easy to slip into your bag and take everywhere. Under the hood, these tablets are packed with the Exynos 1580 processor, with power to keep up with your busy student life. You can effortlessly switch between apps for research, editing documents, or video calls with your group mates, or even do them all at once with the Split-screen view or Pop-up view. And when it is time to relax, enjoy lag-free gaming or stream marathons without interruptions. Even your campus adventures are covered with a high-res 13MP camera for snapping crisp photos and recording memorable moments.

Smarter, Faster, and More Fun with Galaxy AI

Here’s where it gets even cooler: the Galaxy Tab S10 FE series comes loaded with Galaxy AI to help you study smarter, not harder. With Solve Math in Samsung Notes, you can instantly solve handwritten equations, making homework and problem sets quicker to tackle. Handwriting Help keeps your class notes clean and organized by automatically tidying up messy writing. And with Circle to Search with Google, simply circle anything on your screen to find more information on the spot — no app-switching needed.

Creativity also gets a major boost. With the S Pen that’s included with the tablet, it’s easier to take notes, sketch ideas, and fine-tune your projects on the go. The tablet also comes preloaded with powerful tools like GoodNotes, LumaFusion, and Clip Studio Paint so you can draw, edit, and design like a pro right from your device.

Bonus: Seamless Ecosystem and Security You Can Trust

Thanks to Samsung’s connected Galaxy ecosystem, your tablet syncs effortlessly with your Galaxy phone, Buds, or Watch — making file sharing, note syncing, and even managing your smart dorm room easier than ever. Plus, with Samsung Knox protecting your personal data, you can focus on schoolwork and social life knowing your info stays safe.

The Galaxy Tab S10 FE Series is available now in the Philippines starting at ₱26,990 for the Wi-Fi version, ₱31,990 for the 5G version, and ₱39,990 for the Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ 5G. Take advantage of exclusive student promos and bundle discounts while offers last.

First-time subscribers can also enjoy exclusive benefits with preloaded creative apps. GoodNotes comes with a one-year free full version and a 20% discount upon first-time subscription. Lumafusion offers Galaxy users an exclusive 50% discount on subscription, making professional-grade video editing more accessible. Meanwhile, Clip Studio Paint includes a six-month free trial and 20% off for first-time subscriptions too, empowering artists to bring ideas to life with powerful illustration tools.

Bonus: if you will buy select phones like the Galaxy S24 FE, S23 FE, A56/A55 5G, or A36/A35 5G, you will get a 10% discount voucher for the Galaxy Tab S10 FE series sent straight to your email — just log in and opt in via Samsung.com/ph or the Samsung Shop App. Promo runs until July 31, 2025, so don’t miss out!

Make the most of campus life with a tablet that works as hard (and plays as hard) as you do. For more info, visit: https://www.samsung.com/ph/tablets/galaxy-tab-s/galaxy-tab-s10-fe-blue-128gb-sm-x520nlbaxtc/

Check this story in the Samsung PH Newsroom: https://news.samsung.com/ph/bigger-screen-bigger-possibilities-three-reasons-why-the-galaxy-tab-s10-fe-series-is-the-perfect-campus-companion 

DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB 223786 Series of 2025

Converge Wins TM Forum's 2025 Moonshot Catalyst Award with Agentic AI Solution

Converge Chief Executive Adviser Eugene Yeo

Leading Philippine fiber broadband and technology solutions provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc., together with other company-collaborators, have once again triumphed in the Moonshot Catalyst Awards, an innovation-driven competition among technology companies hosted by the TM Forum, a global alliance of companies in the connectivity field. 

Competing in the “ODA (Open Digital Architecture) in a Box” challenge, Converge with team members Telus, AWS, Vodafone. Verizon, RADCOM, and others, emerged as champions with the proposal of an ‘Agentic AI” or a Concierge AI Agent, a proactive, intelligent assistant that continuously monitors the customer journey and engages before problems arise. 

The objective of the collaboration is to create a solution to the passive and reactive approach of telecom support that is prevalent in the industry. Whether it’s a billing error, service disruption, or plan query, the customer must initiate contact—typically navigating complex IVRs, chatbots, or long wait times. Issues are ticketed and routed through siloed departments. 

This resulted in slow complaints resolutions, frustrated customers, high operational costs, and limited scalability. Every new product or service often requires staff retraining, custom integrations, and lengthy setup cycles—driving up both cost and time to market.

“We were looking for a solution that boosts proactive customer issue detection and resolution. When our platform components communicate with each other —not just with the customer— it shifts the approach from being reactive to predictive. This means customers get faster resolutions, more engagement, and experiences that feel uniquely tailored to them. This study was done with the support of some great collaborators who helped make this happen,” noted Eugene Yeo, Converge Chief Executive Adviser. 

Converge provided insights into the Philippine telecom market where customer service experience is particularly complex, and contributed to the development of AI-driven customer experience solutions.

Demonstrating the value of the solution in a particular use case, the team members stated that without the ODA framework, deploying AI agents is a cumbersome process that may involve inconsistent data and legacy systems, and will take a total of 6 months to deploy a single AI agent. 

Presently, Converge is in the process of integrating more AI-enabled tools in its operations, particularly in customer service. In the past year, it has enlisted the help of Salesforce to enable automation in customer management. 

With the solutions, Converge is empowered to receive alerts on sentiments and conversations being said about it online, enhancing its ability to respond effectively to potential incidents.

Converge was also part of the winning team in last year’s Moonshot Catalyst Awards, exhibiting the company’s enduring commitment to digital innovation, and constant participation in venues pushing the envelope in AI-driven telecom solutions.